Herbal Therapy

Chinese and Western herbal supplements can be used to treat may conditions in pets. Herbs are obtained from plants and natural substances and have been used for over 2000 years to treat human and animal patients. Different herbs have specific physiologic actions that can treat acute illness and help to maintain a healthy energy balance in the body. Most herbs are made up of several natural chemical compounds and therefore can benefit the body in multiple ways. Once a holistic veterinarian has performed a thorough evaluation of a pet and has determined the main imbalances in the pet, he/she can recommend specific herbal supplements that will help restore balance in the body and heal various illnesses. Herbal supplements have different formulations such as powders, liquid tinctures, tablets, capsules, or food additives. A holistic veterinarian will generally choose a certain formulation to facilitate ease of administration by the caregiver, for example, cats may prefer a liquid formulation over a powder or tablet. As a pet’s condition improves or changes, the herbal remedies that are prescribed will also change, therefore it is essential that the holistic veterinarian follows a pet’s progress closely.